Guernsey in Platte County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
The Burlington – Northern Railroad
Pointed out by the sight, Burlington-Northern tracks are in close view. That railroad’s forerunner, the Burlington and Missouri, laid rails up the North Platte Valley in 1900. With a view to eventually reaching the Pacific, the company surveyed beyond immediate construction goals – on through South Pass.
Primarily laid down as a supplement to existing feeder lines in Iowa and Nebraska, this branch line was intended for moving Wyoming range livestock to Midwestern feedlots and, following fattening, on to metropolitan packing plants. Further considerations were developing possibilities for transporting Platte Valley iron ore, petroleum products and irrigated field crops to established centers of processing and distribution.
Subsequent consolidations have made the Burlington and Missouri part of a vast railroad network. Therein, one of the most profitable sectors connects Gulf Coast ports – via the Platte Valley here and the Yellowstone Valley in Montana – with the Pacific Northwest. Thus the Burlington finally reached the western ocean, but not through the easy grades via South Pass as originally projected.
Though gradual grades were as important to railroad engineer as to wagon train master the more abundant timber for ties and coal for fuel found south and north of the famous pass met the railroader’s needs better than the wildlife, grass and water which were essential to the emigrant wagoners following the Oregon Trail through central Wyoming.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 42° 16.149′ N, 104° 44.481′ W. Marker is in Guernsey, Wyoming, in Platte County. Marker is on S Wyoming Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Guernsey WY 82214, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Laramie Peak (here, next to this marker); Sand Point (here, next to this marker); Guernsey – Frederick Ranch (here, next to this marker); Register Cliffs (a few steps from this marker); Guernsey Pipeline Station (a few steps from this marker); North Platte River (a few steps from this marker); Fort Laramie (a few steps from this marker); Mexican Hill (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guernsey.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.